Psychologist: Hate less prevalent now than in past

Professor urges parents to teach acceptance, tolerance

The man at the center of the Oak Creek temple shooting, Wade Michael Page, is alleged to have been involved in the neo-Nazi movement.

Dr. Stephen Franzoi, a social psychologist at Marquette University, said America goes through cycles of hate, especially during troubled times.

"Tough economic times cause people to react out of fear and cause people to consider ways of thinking that they previously wouldn't have considered as being too extreme."

WISN 12 showed Franzoi photos of Page being social with neo-Nazi groups, and he said the behavior was a classic human behavior in which Page likely sought what he called an "echo chamber."

"We find this in international terrorists," he said. "They become more extreme the longer that they only interact with each other. We find this in all social groups."

And while recent mass shootings may lead many to believe the world is more violent, Franzoi said history shows that hate is not more prevalent now compared to the past. In fact, Franzoi believes our society is more tolerant and more accepting than ever before.

"It's a matter of education," he said. "Parents should be educating their children on tolerant, non-aggressive responses to conflict."